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When people feel valued and understood by their managers, they’re empowered to make positive organizational impacts. Leaders who learn about employee motivation and human behaviors by studying organizational behavior are well-positioned to create such an environment. Understanding how people and systems coexist is key to running a successful company and achieving measurable goals. Researchers studying organizational behavior aim to discover what causes people and organizations to thrive in this way and how to implement strategies to drive businesses forward.
According to Vice President of Organization Development and Operations at FMG Leading Addam Marcotte: “Effective leadership today is both art and science – it takes excellence in both the doing and the being to be an effective leader. Mastery of organizational behavior is the new currency of leading today’s businesses.”
Theory is the foundation of mastery. That’s why we review the top eight organizational behavior theories in this article.
Organizational behavior combines insights from the fields of psychology, sociology, and anthropology with the aim of understanding how individuals and groups act in the workplace. It’s the study of human behavior in organizational settings, group dynamics within an organization, and organizational structure. It explores behavior from multiple lenses, including the behavior of individuals, groups, and structures.
University and Program Name | Learn More |
Pepperdine University:
Online Master of Business Administration
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Pepperdine University:
Online Master of Science in Management and Leadership
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Stevens Institute of Technology:
Online Master of Business Administration
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Tufts University:
Online Master of Global Business Administration
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Merrimack College:
Master of Science in Leadership
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Pepperdine University:
Online Master of Science in Human Resources
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Merrimack College:
Master of Science in Management
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The University of Tennessee:
Online Master of Business Administration
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Organizational behavior study takes a multi-pronged approach to analyze human behavior. It explores three levels of workplace interaction: individual, group, and organizational.
The individual level of analysis involves the study of:
The group level of analysis involves the study of group dynamics, including:
The organizational level of analysis focuses on:
Organizational behavior theories are used to inform real-time evaluation and management of people in the workplace. Managers and human resources professionals benefit greatly from the study of organizational behavior.
Frederick Winslow Taylor developed the scientific management theory (often referred to as “Taylorism”). Taylor posited that processes need to be simplified and employees need direction to increase productivity. This theory emphasizes a close working relationship between managers and employees and hinges upon the importance of breaking up larger tasks into more manageable ones.
Taylor also believed in rewarding employees based upon productivity. This theory was criticized for the lack of consideration of the social aspects of management, including biases, attitudes, and expectations.
If you’ve worked anywhere, you’ve probably noticed that some people hold more influence than others. There’s a hierarchy, and people are either working on climbing the corporate ladder or are content to maintain their current status. The bureaucracy theory hinges upon the concept of authority in an organization.
There are three types of authority in any organization:
Can a company be both altruistic and turn a profit? According to hybrid organization theory, the answer is yes. This theory focuses on issues related to organizational change toward more sustainable and responsible strategies and production processes. You can see this model in companies like TOMS, Bombas, and Sevenly.
Through hybrid organization theory, companies may aim to give back through helping the homeless, combatting human trafficking, donating their products to charities, and other altruistic behaviors.
Ever notice that people tend to form their own alliances within a workplace? You may work in payroll at your company but become friends with someone in marketing who knows someone in the legal department. Soon, you’re all enjoying lunch together.
These informal groupings are the basis for informal organizational theory. It recognizes that there are often hidden systems within formal company structures. These systems can positively or negatively impact performance.
Contrary to what you may believe, an organizational behavior definition of power can be more dependent on relationships than titles. Want to figure out who holds the most influence in your organization? Start with French and Raven’s five bases of power:
Elton Mayo and Mary Parker Follet were primary contributors to human relations management theory, also known as the Hawthorne effect. Human relations management theory focuses on individual needs and resultant behaviors of individuals and groups. It highlights the concept of individual motivation. It suggests that employee productivity and motivation can be increased through positive social bonds in the workplace and acknowledgment of the worker as a unique individual. There are six basic elements associated with human relations management theory:
Also known as “administrative theory,” process management theory was pioneered by Henri Fayol. Fayol was a French mining engineer who recorded his industry methods and eventually became a management theorist. He touted a top-down approach to organizational efficiency and decision-making. Process management theory is a basic model of how management interacts with personnel.
Instead of focusing on worker efficiency, Fayol focused on the organization and structure of work tasks. He proposed the creation of work groups and departments where unique activities are performed. Fayol believed in a direct correlation between effective management organization and workers’ productivity.
Fayol’s 14 principles of management
Fayol pinpointed 14 organizational elements that demonstrate process management theory:
Management professor Douglas McGregor proposed the X & Y management theory. The “X” and the “Y” represent two aspects of human behavior at work. Theory X represents elevated supervision by management wherein management assumes employees lack motivation and will avoid responsibility. Under theory Y, the assumption is that employees are ambitious and driven to complete their work, requiring minimal supervision.
If you want to make the workplace better, studying organizational behavior is a great place to start. Colleges offering organizational behavior studies include:
Managers and business leaders can leverage organizational behavior theories to improve performance and address some of the most prevalent issues in the workplace. They can help to determine strategic direction, resolve internal conflicts, and create a healthier work environment for all employees. Armed with this knowledge, any business has a much better chance to flourish.
(Last Updated on July 16, 2024)
Questions or feedback? Email editor@noodle.com
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